Deuteronomy 12-13 -- Don't EVEN Consider It

God was serious about what they were to do once they entered the Promised Land.  The current inhabitants had completely abandoned God for the worship of idols.  God’s first command was to completely obliterate all signs of such worship.  Nothing was allowed to be saved because of its historical significance.  If it remained, it would be a temptation.

Anyone who tried to persuade an Israelite to even explore the thought of worshiping some other god was to receive no mercy:  “Do not give in to such people.  Do not listen to them or feel sorry for them … You must put them to death.  You must be the first one to start to kill them, and then everyone else must join in.”

That sounds so harsh to our ears, knowing how religious freedom was carved into the American Constitution.  But these were God’s special people, and they were to be set apart as holy.

If the citizens of a city failed to police themselves and allowed hateful things to occur and to go unpunished, then the entire city was to be destroyed and everyone in it.  The deterrent effect of such a command was powerful.

God was protecting His people from themselves.  Often we are our own worst enemy, we lack accountability, and we indulge our whims to our destruction.  God was loving them enough to prevent that from happening.

Father, thank You for those strong words that show me how incredibly important it is to You that I don’t even crack open the door to temptation.  You know us all well and know what we are capable of.  Protect me from myself.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford